Johnson pulls away for All-Star victory

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CONCORD, N.C., May 20 (UPI) -- Jimmie Johnson pulled away from the field during a 10-lap shootout Saturday, claiming his third NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Johnson took advantage of a new format in the race by winning the first 20-lap segment in the 90-lap all-star event. That allowed him to be the first driver onto pit road following the mandatory stop before the shootout to the finish.

He crossed the finish line 0.8 seconds ahead of Brad Keselowski, continuing his momentum from last week at Darlington Raceway, when he gave team owner Rick Hendrick his 200th Sprint Cup Series win.

Matt Kenseth finished third, followed by pole sitter Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Earnhardt had qualified for the all-star event by winning the 40-lap preliminary Sprint Showdown.